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Saint Joseph Cathedral

Antigua, Guatemala

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This city in Guatemala’s highlands, best known for its Spanish Baroque and colonial architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A cathedral in some form or another has anchored Antigua since 1541, though the current building, the Catedral de San Jose (Cathedral of Saint Joseph), was created in 1680. While earthquakes have damaged the house of worship over the years, it still serves as the backdrop for many religious festivals such as Easter and Semana Santa, or Holy Week.

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Mayapan Ruins

Mayapan Ruins

Also known as the Banner of the Mayas, Mayapan is considered the last great Maya capital. The Pre-Columbian Maya site is south of the town of Telchaquillo, which is in Yucatán, Mexico. More than 4000 structures, most residences, are packed with the ancient city’s walls. Archeologists believe that Mayapan’s main temple is a smaller version of Chichen Itza’s Temple of Kukulkan.9601280

Also known as the Banner of the Mayas, Mayapan is considered the last great Maya capital. The Pre-Columbian Maya site is south of the town of Telchaquillo, which is in Yucatán, Mexico. More than 4000 structures, most residences, are packed with the ancient city’s walls. Archeologists believe that Mayapan’s main temple is a smaller version of Chichen Itza’s Temple of Kukulkan.

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Labna: Gateway Arch

Labna: Gateway Arch

Located in the Puuc Hills region of the Yucatán Peninsula, Labna is a ceremonial center located south of the Uxmal archaeological site. The Gateway Arch (pictured) is not an entryway into the city; it’s a passageway between public areas.9601280

Located in the Puuc Hills region of the Yucatán Peninsula, Labna is a ceremonial center located south of the Uxmal archaeological site. The Gateway Arch (pictured) is not an entryway into the city; it’s a passageway between public areas.

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Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is one of the largest Maya cities, and it is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. More than 1 million tourists visit the Mayan ruins every year. The Temple of Kukulkan (pictured) -- also referred to as El Castillo -- stands 98-feet tall with 9 square terraces, and it’s a big draw for crowds during the spring and fall equinoxes. As the sun sets, visitors crowd around the pyramid to see the shadows on the steps that resemble a snake.9601280

Chichen Itza is one of the largest Maya cities, and it is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. More than 1 million tourists visit the Mayan ruins every year. The Temple of Kukulkan (pictured) -- also referred to as El Castillo -- stands 98-feet tall with 9 square terraces, and it’s a big draw for crowds during the spring and fall equinoxes. As the sun sets, visitors crowd around the pyramid to see the shadows on the steps that resemble a snake.

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Copán Ruins

Copán Ruins

In western Honduras, Copán -- another Maya archeological site -- was once the capital city of the Maya civilization from the 5th to 9th centuries AD. It was occupied for 2,000 years, and more recently, the Copán River was diverted to protect the site from damage.9601280

In western Honduras, Copán -- another Maya archeological site -- was once the capital city of the Maya civilization from the 5th to 9th centuries AD. It was occupied for 2,000 years, and more recently, the Copán River was diverted to protect the site from damage.

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Tikal Ruins

Tikal Ruins

Tikal, located in the Guatemala’s Peten Basin was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979. It was the capital of a state that became one of the most powerful kingdoms of the Maya. It is part of the Tikal National Park.9601280

Tikal, located in the Guatemala’s Peten Basin was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979. It was the capital of a state that became one of the most powerful kingdoms of the Maya. It is part of the Tikal National Park.

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Ek Balam Ruins

Ek Balam Ruins

Built in the Maya Classic Period, Ek Balam has a grand central pyramid, 2 large palaces and numerous other temples and buildings. At the height of its history, it was a large city, and the architecture dates back to the Late Classic period.9601280

Built in the Maya Classic Period, Ek Balam has a grand central pyramid, 2 large palaces and numerous other temples and buildings. At the height of its history, it was a large city, and the architecture dates back to the Late Classic period.

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Lamanai Ruins

Lamanai Ruins

Belize’s Lamanai Mayan ruins are surrounded by the jungle’s thick vegetation. And in case you didn’t know, the word Lamanai comes from the Maya term “submerged crocodile” -- a nod to the reptiles that live along the banks of the New River.9601280

Belize’s Lamanai Mayan ruins are surrounded by the jungle’s thick vegetation. And in case you didn’t know, the word Lamanai comes from the Maya term “submerged crocodile” -- a nod to the reptiles that live along the banks of the New River.

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Xel-Ha Inlet and Ruins

Xel-Ha Inlet and Ruins

Mexico’s Xel-Ha ruins, part of the Xel-Ha Lagoon Eco-Park, is located between 2 Maya archeological sites -- Akumal and Tulum. The lagoon was a popular trade port between towns along the coast and to Cozumel. Some structures still have painted hands and other drawings of the Maya.9601280

Mexico’s Xel-Ha ruins, part of the Xel-Ha Lagoon Eco-Park, is located between 2 Maya archeological sites -- Akumal and Tulum. The lagoon was a popular trade port between towns along the coast and to Cozumel. Some structures still have painted hands and other drawings of the Maya.

Angelique800326, Wikimedia Commons

Muyil Entry Plaza

Muyil Entry Plaza

Although rarely visited, the Muyil ruins is one of the earliest and longest inhabited ancient Maya sites, located south of Tulum, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. These ruins are found along a Caribbean trade route that was once accessible via a series of canals.9601280

Although rarely visited, the Muyil ruins is one of the earliest and longest inhabited ancient Maya sites, located south of Tulum, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. These ruins are found along a Caribbean trade route that was once accessible via a series of canals.

Dennis Jarvis, Flickr

Xunantunich's El Castillo

Xunantunich's El Castillo

Just 80 miles of Belize City, Belize, Xunantunich sits on a ridge above the Mopan River, where visitors can clearly see Guatemala’s border. El Castillo (pictured) -- 130-feet tall -- is the second tallest structure in Belize, after the temple at Caracol.9601280

Just 80 miles of Belize City, Belize, Xunantunich sits on a ridge above the Mopan River, where visitors can clearly see Guatemala’s border. El Castillo (pictured) -- 130-feet tall -- is the second tallest structure in Belize, after the temple at Caracol.

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The Church of Coba

The Church of Coba

In Quintana Roo, Mexico, Coba’s Nohoch Mul is the tallest pyramid in the Yucatán Peninsula. It is 12-stories tall and has 120 steps to the top, where you can get a panoramic view of the jungle and the tops of the other ruins in the area.9601280

In Quintana Roo, Mexico, Coba’s Nohoch Mul is the tallest pyramid in the Yucatán Peninsula. It is 12-stories tall and has 120 steps to the top, where you can get a panoramic view of the jungle and the tops of the other ruins in the area.

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Xlapak Palace

Xlapak Palace

The Xlapak Palace (pictured) was located in a Maya ceremonial center in Yucatán, Mexico. The Palace is only 20-meters long adorned in typical, but stylish Mayan architecture style with columns, colonnades, geometrical figures and superimposed Mayan masks of Chaac, the Mayan god of rain.9601280

The Xlapak Palace (pictured) was located in a Maya ceremonial center in Yucatán, Mexico. The Palace is only 20-meters long adorned in typical, but stylish Mayan architecture style with columns, colonnades, geometrical figures and superimposed Mayan masks of Chaac, the Mayan god of rain.

Dennis Jarvis, Flickr

Uxmal, Pyramid of the Magician

Uxmal, Pyramid of the Magician

Uxmal is the Maya word for “thrice-build,” which refers to the construction of the Pyramid of the Magician (pictured). The Maya would often build a new temple over an existing one, and in this case, 5 stages of construction were found. At its height, Uxmal was home to about 25,000 Maya.9601280

Uxmal is the Maya word for “thrice-build,” which refers to the construction of the Pyramid of the Magician (pictured). The Maya would often build a new temple over an existing one, and in this case, 5 stages of construction were found. At its height, Uxmal was home to about 25,000 Maya.

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Kinch Kakmo Pyramid

Kinch Kakmo Pyramid

In Izamal, Mexico, visitors come to see the magnificent Kinch Kakmo pyramid. Kinch Kakmo -- the Maya word for fire parrot -- was believed to descend to Earth to consume offerings made at the top of the pyramid.9601280

In Izamal, Mexico, visitors come to see the magnificent Kinch Kakmo pyramid. Kinch Kakmo -- the Maya word for fire parrot -- was believed to descend to Earth to consume offerings made at the top of the pyramid.

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Becan Mayan Pyramid

Becan Mayan Pyramid

Head to the Campeche, Mexico, to see the Becan Mayan ruins. Visitors can explore 20 major ruins, including a number of temple pyramids immersed in the jungle. Becan was a major city, occupied from 550 BC and abandoned around the 9th century AD.9601280

Head to the Campeche, Mexico, to see the Becan Mayan ruins. Visitors can explore 20 major ruins, including a number of temple pyramids immersed in the jungle. Becan was a major city, occupied from 550 BC and abandoned around the 9th century AD.